-geny

American  

1. a combining form meaning “origin,” used in the formation of compound words.

   phylogeny.

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-geny British  

combining form

1. indicating origin or manner of development

   phylogeny

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Usage

What does -geny mean? The combining form -geny is used like a suffix meaning “origin.” It is often used in scientific terms, especially in biology. The form -geny comes from Greek -geneia, meaning “born” or “produced.” The Latin translation and cognate of -geneia is nātus, meaning “born,” which is the source of natal, native, and nature. Find out how these terms derive from nātus at our entry for each word. What are variants of -geny?While the form -geny doesn't have any variants, it is related to the combining form -genic, as in hallucinogenic. The form -geny is also closely related to the combining forms -gen, -genous, -genesis, and -genetic, as in pathogen, heterogenous, biogenesis, and epigenetic. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles for -gen, -genic, -genous, -genesis, and -genetic.

Other Word Forms

• -genic combining form

Etymology

Origin of -geny

From the Greek word -geneia, dating back to 1885–90. See -gen, -y ³